| “ |
Boys Republic! Hello, we are Boys Republic! |
” |
| —Boys Republic | ||
Boys Republic (소년공화국) is a five-member boy group under Universal Music Korea and Happy Tribe Entertainment. They are Universal Music's first K-pop group. They debuted on June 5, 2013 with the single album "Party Rock".
After a successful fan meet event held in May 2016 in Tokyo, the group debuted officially in Japan with the single "Only Girl" on September 28, 2016 under Universal Music Japan.
On September 12, 2018, it was announced the group would go on an indefinite hiatus following their farewell performance on September 30.[1]
History
2012-2013: Pre-Debut, "Orange Sky", debut with "Party Rock", Identity, EYECAMP Expedition.
Before their debut in 2013 Boys Republic, trained for two years under Universal Music Korea in a partnership with Happy Tribe Entertainment producer's Jung Hae IK.[2]
On March 14, 2013, before their official debut, they held their first showcase. A week later, on the 22nd, they released "Orange Sky" as a special single in partnership with Skyline Jeju Air.
On June 5, 2013 they officially debuted with first first single album "Party Rock."
On October 8, 2013, they made their first comeback with the mini album Identity.
For the following months of 2013, they actively performed throughout Asia, mainly in Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia.[3]
In november 2013, they were selected alongside VIXX as ambassadors for "Eye Camp Expedition," a charity campaign, which they joined other volunteers in Vietnam to help visually impaired individuals. All the work was documented in four episodes of the SBS MTV reality show of the same name.[4]
2014-2015: Fantasy Trilogy, "Hello" and European Tour
On February 5, 2014, Boys Republic announced their Fantasy Trilogy comeback saga. Along with the announcement, they released individual teasers of each member portraying their favorite superhero.[5]
On February 16, the first song from Fantasia Trilogy, "Video Game", was revealed and officially released as a single album on February 20.
On July 14, 2014 it was released their third single album, "Dress Up". It takes part as the second release for the Fantasiy series.
On November 12, 2014, they made a comeback with their second mini album Real Talk, marking the final release of the Fantasy Trilogy.
After the final release, they spent the rest of 2014 and early 2015 promoting the Fantasia Trilogy conclusion. During this time, the members participated in volunteer activities. Sunwoo knitted hats for the "Save the Children" project, which provided hats to newborns in Uganda, Ethiopia, and Pakistan.[6] On December 20, Boys Republic volunteered in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, offering free hugs in red Salvation Army gear, with proceeds going to support poverty-stricken neighborhoods.[7]
In May 2015, in partnership with B7KLAN, a European tour for the group was announced.[8]
On June 5, 2015, marking their second anniversary debut, they released their fourth single album, "Hello".
Later, on July 3, 2015, the European tour, titled Royal Tour, started at Le Divan du Monde in Paris, France, and ended on July 12, 2015, at Szene Wien in Vienna, Austria.[8]
2016-2018: BR:evolution, Japanese releases and indefinite hiatus
On March 30, 2016, they made their comeback with their third mini album, BR:evolution.
On May 13, 2016, a Japanese version of the single "Hello" was released on Boys Republic's streaming services. A day later, on May 14, Boys Republic kicked off their Japan promotions with a solo event, Royal Memorial Ceremony Vol. 0, held at Yamano Hall in Tokyo, Japan.[9]
On June 8, 2016, a Japanese version of their previously released mini album BR:evolution, and a compilation album, Boys Republic 2013-2015 Best, were simultaneously released on their Japan located streaming services.
On August 1, 2016, Universal Japan Music released a teaser video showing the Boys Republic members preparing for their official debut in Japan. Later, on September 28, 2016, their Japanese debut track "Only Girl" was released, accompanied by a short film.[10]
In January 18 2017, they released four new Japanese singles: "Closer ～ How Close Are We From A Kiss?", "Daisukidayo", "Hello Sunshine", "Nagareru Hoshini Hanatabao".
In August, it was announced that all members of the group would be participating in the survival show The Unit. Members Minsu and Sunwoo did not pass the auditions, while Onejunn finished in 57th place, Sungjun in 29th, and Sunwoo in 15th.[11]
Later that month, on the 30th, their Japanese full album Beginning. was released.
On September 12, 2018, it was announced on their fancafé that the group would go on an indefinite hiatus.[citation needed] On the same day, they released their farewell single "Ending Credit.," followed by a farewell performance on the 30th.[1]
Aftermath:
- Onejunn participated in a few music releases after the group's disbandment in 2020 but has since shifted his focus to his personal life, stepping away from the entertainment industry.
- Sunwoo competed in Kookmin Singer and reached the Top 111 but was eventually eliminated.
- Suwoong joined the fictional boy group SPARKLING n May 2021 and later graduated from Konkuk University on August 27, 2021.[12] As of 2025, he continues working in the entertainment industry through various gigs.
- Minsu and Sungjun appear to have left the entertainment industry and are focusing on their personal lives.
Members
| Name | Position(s) | Years active |
|---|---|---|
| Onejunn (원준) | Leader, Main Vocalist | 2013-2018 |
| Sunwoo (선우) | Lead Vocalist | 2013-2018 |
| Sungjun (성준) | Main Rapper, Main Dancer | 2013-2018 |
| Minsu (민수) | Lead Rapper, Lead Dancer | 2013-2018 |
| Suwoong (수웅) | Lead Dancer, Vocalist, Visual, Face of the Group, Maknae | 2013-2018 |
Discography
Korean
Mini albums
- Identity (2013)
- Real Talk (2014)
- BR:evolution (2016)
Single albums
- "Party Rock" (2013)
- "Video Game" (2014)
- "Dress Up" (2014)
- "Hello" (2015)
- "Ending Credit." (2018)
Special singles
- "Orange Sky (2013)
OSTs
- "A Daughter Just Like You OST Part.8" (2015)
- "매지컬 : 공주를 웃겨라 OST" ("Happy Wedding Day") (2020)
Japanese
Studio albums
- Beginning (2017)
Best albums
- Boys Republic 2013-2015 Best (2016)
Singles
- "Only Girl" (2016)
- "Closer ～ How Close Are We From A Kiss?" (2017)
- "Daisukidayo" (2017)
- "Hello Sunshine" (2017)
- "Nagareru Hoshini Hanatabao" (2017)
Digital singles
- "Hello (Japanese Ver.)" (2016)
Concerts
European tour
- European Royal Tour 2015
Filmography
Reality shows
| Year | Title | # of Episodes | Network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Rookie King: Boys Republic | 8 | SBS MTV | |
| EYECAMP Expedition | 4 | with VIXX |
Trivia
- Sunwoo is a former member of the boy group TOUCH, and Cube Entertainment trainee under the stage name Dabin.
- Sungjun is a former trainee of JYP Entertainment.
- Suwoong is a former trainee of Big Hit Entertainment.
Gallery
.png "Boys Republic Hello group promo photo (1).png (1.16 MB)")
.png "Boys Republic Hello group promo photo (2).png (2.18 MB)")
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Soompi: Boys Republic Announces Indefinite Hiatus
- ↑ (KR) SPORTS Donga: 소년공화국 “데뷔 1주일차 햇병아리? 자신감은 ‘드림팀’”
- ↑ (EN) The Korea Herald: "[Rookies of 2014] Boys Republic looking to make a statement in 2014"
- ↑ (KR) Gaon chart: "소년공화국, 행복한 학교 만들기 “저희와 함께해요”"
- ↑ (KR) Chosun: "소년공화국, 컴백곡 '비디오 게임' 콘셉트 공개. 일러스트는 작가 주노 작품"
- ↑ (KR) Khan: "남성 아이돌그룹 멤버가 ‘뜨개질 삼매경’ 왜?"
- ↑ (KR) OSEN: "소년공화국, 야외 구세군 모금활동-기부금 전달 ‘훈훈’"
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 (KR) Sports DONGA: "소년공화국, 유럽 7개국 8개도시 투어 개최 확정"
- ↑ (EN) BNT News: "Boys Republic Successfully Finished Its Live Event in Japan"
- ↑ (JP) MusicMan NET: ""Boys Republic、映像作品「Only Girl ~first movie~」1夜限りの日本デビュー記念映像上映会に登場"
- ↑ THE UNIT ep. 1-12
- ↑ @suwoong_95 on Instagram (August 27, 2021)